Pros:
Bud Hill , THE RIDGE , is one of 2 courses on private property . Be patient finding this place . Your directional guide can easily mess up out there , and this place sits pretty far from everything . There is a long gravel driveway leading up to the clubhouse and the course . The Clubhouse features a guestbook , memorabilia and places to sit and swap stories with the locals between and after rounds . There is a Port O Let near the parking lot . The parking lot isn't big , but the owner will let you park in the grass in case of an overflow of cars . The Ridge course starts behind the clubhouse about 40-50 yards . It is on the opposite side of the gravel drive pointing towards the pond .
The Equipment - There are cement tees now . They are smallish at about 6-7' X 3-3 1/2 , but they are a step up from worn carpet .There are 2 tees on most of the holes . Signage is adequate in the short positions , giving just what is expected . The baskets are older Chainstars , but catch well .
THE LANDSCAPE - This course doesn't roll as much as the Original , but there is some decent elevation here . Mostly woods holes , but fair lanes . This area must have been a bear to clear out . Not quite as scenic as the Original course , but still a great walk . Water only comes into play on hole #1 which is really a hard deuce . The grounds were mowed for the big amateur tournament the following day and the trees were cut back nicely .
THE HIGHLIGHTS - This type of course will not feature those . If you want highlights , play the original . If you want some fun factor , play here . The toughest hole was #1 . The tee is elevated , and the basket sits on a lengthwise ridge with the pond on the immediate left and a sloping hill on the right . No sense losing a disc on the first hole . There was a hole ( I think #15 that was a downhill run at a high hanging basket . Some risk/reward there . . Many of these holes are short and technical . You might get away with a couple of midranges and a putter . There are still many varying and right to left holes .
THE TIME - It took me over and hour to play , but only because there were people at most of the holes . On an emptier day , you will cruise this course in 50 minutes .
If you don't make a run at the first hole and dig your drive into the hill like I did , then your disc risk is low . There are several blind basket placements at the Ridge , , but the course is pretty cleared out and as long as you watch your flight path and not land up in a large tree .
This could be an excellent warmup for The Original , or just a laid back round without much exertion .
Cons:
#1 Challenge - Many will think the course is too easy . Well , it's supposed to be . Don't be all geared up just to be let down .
If the course gets crowded on a weekend and evryone flocks to the Ridge , make sure you don't throw around a bend and catch someone looking for their disc off the fairway . Don't make it a bad day for either of you .
LACKING AMENITIES - It was okay with me , but instead of nice blue waste cans and benches , they had random chairs at a lot of the holes and some regular trash cans. Not a problem with me , but worth mentioning .
CALLING AHEAD - Many are used to just showing up at a course instead of asking permission . Hey , The course owner and wife are great people . Honor them with courtesy .
Make sure you bring bug spray .
Other Thoughts:
This is a great alternative to the Original . Something more low key , and you are able to make it a quick play if you become pressed for time . Long time course owner Danny Daniels has put a lot of time , money and effort into making this private playground an experience . I met him while he was mowing , and he is one of the nicest guys and represents disc golf well . There is a donation box near the liability waiver papers . It is expensive to keep up a private course with no outside funding . Make sure you donate some money to a great cause . I am sure most all of it goes right back into the course . Private course like these make you feel as if you are part of something special , and more welcome than Rec. Commission parks . I bumped my rating about half a point because, " how many private course that you will play in your lifetime feature 2 separate and full 18 hole disc golf courses ? "
My Recommendation - The Ridge is just that little " extra addition " to this property . I played alongside a whole lot of rec players , good players with less talented girlfriends and wives , newbies still getting their feet wet . There were also some better players that were just working on their short technical game . Pros might find this course too easy and boring , but still could use a few holes as a warmup for the Original .Coming to this course is less about The Ridge , and more about the Destination . PLAY IT !!